#11 RJ Johnson dribbles the ball up the court against USF. Vystar Arena, November 16th, 2025. Photo Credit: Jackson Louneounbonh
Kennesaw State men’s basketball was dealt its first loss of the season in a shootout against South Florida, 108-89 Sunday – a day where both programs honored the late Amir Abdur-Rahim.
A lack of effective defense haunted the Owls on Sunday, with the hosts surrendering more than a point per possession, allowing the Bulls to shoot 50% from the floor and conceding the highest point-total for an opponent since 2006.
“We just weren’t ready to go,” KSU coach Antoine Pettway said. “Like plays that we should routinely make, communication, playing down in our stance, being athletic, being where we were supposed to be – we just weren’t ready to go and that’s my job. I got to get these dudes ready to go and make sure they’ll be in the spots to make sure they’ve got complete understanding going into the game.”
The Owls were outscored 52-36 in the first half, but battled back in the second, drawing as close as five points when Darius Washington III converted a layup with 13:30 to play, making the score 71-66.
USF distanced itself shortly after, swelling its lead to 16 points over the next eight minutes of game play.
The Owls never again drew within single-figures, dropping to 3-1 on the season in a 108-89 loss – just the program’s ninth home loss since 2022.
Senior guard Simeon Cottle led all scorers with 25 points, but struggled shooting from the field, finishing 5-of-16.
Cottle was also held without a field goal in the final 12 minutes of the game.
Freshman Trey Simpson continued to impress, ending the day just short of a double-double with 11 points and 8 rebounds while bench big man Perry Smith Jr. finished 4-of-4 from the field for 10 points.
“They took my initial reads out of the play,” Cottle said. “So it was more about just trying to figure out ways to get open, and I feel like they did a great job with how they scouted me, and how they scouted RJ and executed.”
Joseph Pinion led the Bulls in scoring with 24 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and 11-of-12 shooting from the line.
Amir Abdur-Rahim, who coached at both schools and notoriously led KSU to an ASUN championship and the NCAA Tournament for the first time, was honored throughout the game.
Former players, staffers and Abdur-Rahim’s family, including former NBA All-Star Shareef Abdur-Rahim were in attendance.
Shareef and Amir’s widow, Arianne Buchanan spoke to the crowd during halftime alongside former players Cole Larue, Matt Brown and Spencer Rogers.
“It’s awesome,” Pettway said. “Anytime we talk Amir, just a great coach, but even a better man, even better husband, even better father. “He left a tremendous legacy here on Earth – his legacy is going to live on forever.”
Cottle, the last remaining scholarship player for the Owls to have been coached by Abdur-Rahim reflected on an emotional day.
“I was getting emotional during warmups just looking at it,” Cottle said. “Just feeling the air, just feeling everything around me – it was that memory of really every moment we had together.”
